How to Use Google Drive in Windows

Google Drive is a free Google office suite for online and offline file processing, storage and synchronization. It allows you to create, edit and even collaborate in file processing of Google Docs, Sheets, Slides Forms and Drawing. The Google Drive project was launched way back in April 2012 making it possible for users to create and edit files without the limitations of traditional applications like Microsoft Office.

Google Drive Logo

Drive services were initially possible when you were logged into your Gmail client account, but Google later made it possible for users to create and edit files in the offline mode, on condition that Google folder was installed in your computer.

When you have installed and set up Google Drive services, you receive 15GB free cloud storage and additional 100GB file storage can be purchased at a cost of $1.99 a month.

There are a number of reasons why you may want to set up Google's online service and file storage:

Google allows you to back up data away from your home computer and into Google Drive Cloud.

Google makes it possible for you to access online data from anywhere, anytime and on any device.

Google enables you share office files right inside Drive.

Google allows you to edit your work online and offline.

Google allows you integrate countless features to its editing tools by use of add-ons.

How to Install, Setup and Use Google Drive

If ever you decide to join the cloud file services you will have a variety of options to pick from.

Whereas a person with an active Hotmail account will find it appropriate to stick with One Drive from Microsoft, an Apple user will find it appropriate to stay with iCloud. Other rather choosy users will possibly prefer DropBox, Box etc.

If however, you are an avid googler, you own a Gmail account and prefer the ease of use that comes with Google Docs and Sheets, then Google Drive is for you. I believe a lot of users fall into this category.

Google Drive pricing

In order to synchronize all your work efficiently, you will have to install a Google Drive client in your computer. Through the client, you will be able to use files uploaded to Drive on and offline

Setting up Google Drive in your computer is as easy as pie. Usually, you will be prompted to install Drive in your computer the first time you log into your new Gmail account. If however your Gmail account is much older, you can read along to install Google Drive.

First you need to be logged into your Gmail account.

From within your account click the Google Apps shortcut, the first item in the bookmarks bar and then click Google Drive. (see image 1)

Alternatively, click on the apps shortcut at the top right of the browser, and then select Google Drive. (see image 3)

Image 1: Google apps shortcut on the bookmarks bar

Image 2: Google app launcher within the task-bar

Image 3: The app launcher at the top right of the browser

You will be re-directed to a new page as shown below.

Choose between installing Drive into your computer or using online Drive

When you select No Thanks you will skip Drive installation but will be redirected to online Drive page. Even in this mode you will still have the choice to install Drive at a later date. (see image below)

When you select Download Drive you will initiate download and installation of Google Drive into your computer.

Install Drive folder from within Drive

Whichever way you decide to install Drive, the end will justify the means.

When you click on Install Drive for PC, a googlesync.exe installer file will initiate and take you through the download and installation process.

After installation, you will have a Drive folder right on top of your desktop and a Drive icon in the Notification Area.

Google drive tile.

For Windows 8 users, a tile will also be created in the Metro Interface.

Google Drive will launch prompting you to log into your Gmail account.

After you have logged into your account, Google will prompt you to sync and customize Google Drive in the Preferences page. You have Advanced, Account and Sync options to configure.

You can decide which folders to sync or not sync in your desktop and whether Drive can start every time your computer starts.

Google Drive preference settings

Google Sync and Data Use:

NOTE: Sync your folders with the knowledge that huge data spikes will result if you decide to sync large files. Sync what you feel is necessary and disregard useless files.

You will now be able to access your folders in your mobile devices and on your desktop.

Google document shortcuts on your desktop

Google Drive Folder on the Desktop:

Your Google Drive folder on the desktop will show all your folders and files that have been synced across all your devices, and it is in here that you will create and name your sub folders appropriately.

You will notice the tick and double arrows:

Folders and files with ticks are already synced,

The double arrows indicate syncing in progress or folders and files that are not yet synced.

Comments

No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked. Comments are not for promoting your articles or other sites.

sending

peachy

3 years agofrom Home Sweet Home

i tried but i find it not so useful

Patrick Kamau

5 years agofrom Nairobi, Kenya

Thanks Amuno for sharing this. I started using Google drive and I like it. There is no turning back.

Joseph Renne

5 years agofrom Milton

I love Google Drive!!! I backup all my Pictures and Videos with this service.

AUTHOR

Alfred Amuno

6 years agofrom Kampala

Any time Malik.

shahidmalik.mail@gmail.com

6 years ago

This is very useful for us.Thanks for it.

AUTHOR

Alfred Amuno

6 years agofrom Kampala

Certainly not David. Dropbox has been around for quite some time and so has stood the test of time. If you want to take the free services all the way, you can adopt Drive, Dropbox, Skydrive and anything else out there, as long as you don't get mixed up.

David Tayzon

6 years ago

is there any issues if i use both dropbox and google drive?

AUTHOR

Alfred Amuno

6 years agofrom Kampala

I should say Google Drive supplements Google Docs quite well. What I like about Drive is the auto creation of cloud folder right on top of your desktop. This aspect makes it easy for just about anyone to implement the program. It's all drag and drop after that a folder has been created for you.

reagu

6 years agofrom Los Angeles

I use Google docs. Perhaps Google Drive would supplement that use. But I thought that many other companies have tried the storage business and failed. Maybe I'm missing something here.

AUTHOR

Alfred Amuno

6 years agofrom Kampala

You are welcome mj2991. Thanks for appreciating.

mj2991

6 years agofrom Pehawar

Great this for helping

AUTHOR

Alfred Amuno

6 years agofrom Kampala

Yes, new kids on the block Google. Wish them luck and I'm already trying it out.

ahmed.b

6 years agofrom Sweden

Thank you for sharing this info. I didn't know about google drive before and was only using dropbox. Anyhow will give a try to this as well.

AUTHOR

Alfred Amuno

6 years agofrom Kampala

@iwriteforyou; thanks for appreciating. With Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, Skydrive, iCloud etc. I know that more are coming.

iwriteforyou

6 years agofrom United Kingdom

Thank you for the walk through. Very helpful. I think there is enough space in this market for a few big cloud storage providers.

More competition means lower prices for consumers so overall I think it's good news

AUTHOR

Alfred Amuno

6 years agofrom Kampala

Thanks Mommy. I appreciate.

mommy ara

6 years agofrom Philippines

Thanks for this. Very useful.

AUTHOR

Alfred Amuno

6 years agofrom Kampala

Yes, you are right about the 'me too' game. Wanting to put their feet in everything. Google does particularly well as a search engine, and multiplication of 'jobs' is a little irritating! We do not want another Microsoft!

kev8

6 years ago

Thanks for that article,very interesting. Google just seem to be playing their usual "me too!" game. I think google drive will be popular for a year or so and will eventually fall by the wayside.I hope dropbox stay dominant.

This website uses cookies

As a user in the EEA, your approval is needed on a few things. To provide a better website experience, hubpages.com uses cookies (and other similar technologies) and may collect, process, and share personal data. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.

This is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. (Privacy Policy)

Google AdSense Host API

This service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)

This is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)

Facebook Login

You can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)

Maven

This supports the Maven widget and search functionality. (Privacy Policy)

We may use remarketing pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to advertise the HubPages Service to people that have visited our sites.

Conversion Tracking Pixels

We may use conversion tracking pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to identify when an advertisement has successfully resulted in the desired action, such as signing up for the HubPages Service or publishing an article on the HubPages Service.

Statistics

Author Google Analytics

This is used to provide traffic data and reports to the authors of articles on the HubPages Service. (Privacy Policy)

Comscore

ComScore is a media measurement and analytics company providing marketing data and analytics to enterprises, media and advertising agencies, and publishers. Non-consent will result in ComScore only processing obfuscated personal data. (Privacy Policy)

Amazon Tracking Pixel

Some articles display amazon products as part of the Amazon Affiliate program, this pixel provides traffic statistics for those products (Privacy Policy)